Retractable garage storage container

ABSTRACT

An overhead storage container in a closet like form that utilizes unused space inside a garage, above a garage door. The storage container is raised to a horizontal position and lowered through a 90-degree rotation to a vertical position through the use of two ropes, one of which is connected to a safety ratchet. The container will not lower or rise unless the safety ratchet is disengaged by the rope it is connected to. The second rope allows for lowering or raising of the container until more rope must be released through the use of the safety ratchet.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to a system and method forutilizing ceiling space in a garage for storing items.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Home-owners desire to utilize their garage for multiple purposes. Forexample, some would like to use the garage as a workshop while otherswould like to park their vehicle(s) inside. However, often storingbelongings takes up so much garage space that other usages arerestricted.

Although it is common to store items on the floor, on shelves or hangingon the wall, both floor and wall space is limited. An opportunity existsto provide storage space overhead. The difficulty with many overheadstorage devices is that they are not easy to access since the user mustcarry items onto a ladder for storage and retrieval.

Thus there is a need to allow a user to store and retrieve items in astorage container at floor level as if utilizing a closet, and tofurther provide means to easily retract the storage container to occupythe space above an open garage door and below the garage ceiling.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A garage may have any ceiling height. Typically in Canada and the U.S. agarage has a ceiling height of approximately nine or ten feet. Theceiling is usually constructed of joists or rafters and may be finishedwith drywall or sheet rock. The typical garage door opening isapproximately seven feet high and wide enough to allow one or twovehicles to enter side by side.

Garage doors open by rolling upwards. This is accomplished by fittingthe door with wheels on the two inside edges of the door. These wheelsroll on wheel tracks which are fastened to the inside of the garage walland ceiling. A torsion spring located on the garage door header insidegarage wall above the garage door opening assists the raising andlowering operation.

Some garages utilize automatic garage door openers to facilitate theopening and closing operation. These openers consist of a motortypically mounted to the ceiling inside the garage with a transmissiondevice such as a chain and/or rail attached to the garage door allowingthe motor to raise and lower the door along the wheel tracks.

The garage door in its open position is generally oriented horizontallybelow the garage ceiling between the wheel tracks. There exists a spaceabove the open garage door and below the garage ceiling which istypically not used and available for storage of items. Specifically, theportion of this space between one of the garage door wheel tracks andthe garage door motor rail is utilized by embodiments of this inventionto position a storage container in its retracted (overhead) position. Assuch, it provides significant overhead storage capacity.

Embodiments of the invention allow this storage container to be loweredfrom an overhead position to a lower position where items can be loadedand retrieved at floor level, thus eliminating the need to carry suchitems onto a ladder.

In its lowered position, the storage container defined in this inventionis positioned generally vertically along the inside of the garage dooropening (with the garage door closed) such that it is aligned in betweenone of the garage door wheel tracks and the garage door motor rail.

Embodiments of the invention provide the user all the advantages ofoverhead storage with the convenience of storing and retrieving items atfloor level

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way ofexample only, with reference to the attached Figures, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of two storage containers in the raisedposition;

FIG. 2 is a plan view of a storage container about to be lowered;

FIG. 3 is a plan view of a lowered storage container;

FIG. 4 is a plan view of two storage container in the raised position;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the components of a storage container;

FIG. 6 is a plan view of mounting hardware for a storage container;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the mesh components of the storagecontainer; and

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a storage container with optionalfeatures.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

As described above, embodiments of the invention are directed toproviding overhead storage containers in a garage. The storagecontainers are provided with means for raising and lowering them fromthe ceiling of the garage. To describe in detail the embodiments werefer first to FIG. 1.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of two storage containers in the raisedposition. Two storage containers 12 and 14 are shown in the raisedposition proximate to ceiling 16. Although two storage containers 12 and14 have been shown, another embodiment may have a single storagecontainer. Depending upon the dimension of the storage containers andthe dimensions of the garage, any number of storage containers may beutilized. Storage containers 12 and 14 are surrounded by mesh 13 so thatarticles are contained within them. Mesh 13 may be of any form, such asa plastic or metal composite. More detail on mesh 13 is provided in thedescription of FIG. 7.

Storage containers 12 and 14 are mounted to mounting brackets 20.Storage containers 12 and 14 pivot along mounting rod 22. Storagecontainers 12 and 14 when raised, reside above garage door 24. Garagedoor wheels 26 and 28 roll along or are contained within wheel tracks 30and 32, thus providing means for opening or raising garage door 24.Torsion spring 34 provides resistance so that the lowering of door 24can be controlled with resistance. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, anelectric motor 36 is used to raise and lower door 24. Motor 36 utilizesa rail 38 connected to door 24 by arm 40. When activated, the motor 36moves the arm 40 along rail 38 to raise or lower door 24.

Referring now to FIG. 2 a plan view of a storage container about to belowered is shown. The mechanism for lowering and raising storagecontainer 14 comprises, a pulley 54 secured to ceiling 16 by a hook orother securing device 56. Securing device 56 attaches to ceiling 16 to aceiling stud (not shown) or a ceiling bracket (not shown). One skilledin the art will appreciate that a solid attachment for securing device56 must be provided. Two ropes pass through pulley 54, pull rope 64 andratchet release rope 66. The same ropes pass through safety lockingratchet 60. Ropes 64 and 66 are attached to storage container 14 bymeans of a hook or other attachment device 62, positioned centrally atthe base of the storage container 14.

In use, a user 50 holds a pull rope 64 in one hand and a ratchet releaserope 66 in the other hand. By slowly pulling on the ratchet release rope66, safety locking ratchet 60 is disengaged. Safety locking ratchet 60is disengaged as long as ratchet release rope 66 is pulled. Each timethe ratchet release rope 66 is pulled, the pull rope 64 will bereleased. This allows for slow and controlled lowering of the storagecontainer 14. An example of a safety locking ratchet 60 is providedunder the brand name “Rope Ratchet”™ sold by Carolina North Mfg.

Referring now to FIG. 3 a plan view of a lowered storage container isshown. As such, the storage container resembles a closet. In thisposition articles in the storage container may be removed or more added.To raise the storage container 14, pull rope 64 is used. Ratchet releaserope 66 passes through safety locking ratchet 60 such that the storagecontainer 14 will remain stationary in its position whenever the ratchetrelease rope 66 is released. The storage container 14 can be raised toits horizontal (retracted) position by performing a series of manualpulls on the pull rope 64. The safety locking ratchet 60 works such thatthe ratchet release rope 66 is not required when raising storagecontainer 14.

Once the storage container has been raised to the ceiling 16 the pullrope 64 and ratchet release rope 66 may be coiled or hung fromattachment device 62 or some other connection at the base of storagecontainer 14, so that they are out of the way of the garage door andpeople or pets in the garage.

Referring now to FIG. 4 a plan view of two storage containers in theraised position is shown to aid the reader in understanding how anembodiment of the invention may be installed. Here we have all of thefeatures numbered as in previous Figures with the addition of cotterpins 92 which ensure that mounting rod 22 does not detach from mountingbracket 20.

Referring now to FIG. 5 a perspective view of the components of astorage container is shown generally as 14. Storage container 14 isencased in mesh 13 (see FIG. 7). Storage container 14 is constructed ofa number of steel tubes and connectors. Steel has been used forstrength, but aluminum or heavy wall PVC might also be used with anymanner of connectors. It is not the intent of the inventors to restrictthe materials used to the embodiment described. In one embodiment thetubing and fittings of QuixxSmart® Structures Inc. of Peabody Mass.,were utilized.

In one embodiment the storage container 14 comprises the followingcomponents:

-   a) four top base tubes 70;-   b) eight bottom base tubes 72;-   c) ten supporting tubes 74;-   d) three base connection tubes 76;-   e) six straight connectors 78;-   f) fourteen angle connectors 80;-   g) eight clamp connectors 82;-   h) one mounting rod 22. and-   i) four cross connectors 84.

Depending on the weight capacity and the strength of the tube material,the frame construction may vary, for example only six bottom base tubesmay be used, so that there are three rows of bottom base tubes insteadof four.

Although there is no restriction on the size of storage container 14 aslong as it fits within the contained space and supports a required load,one that appears to be practical during testing utilized top base tubes70 and bottom base tubes 72 having a length of three feet each,combining to make a total of six feet when connected by straightconnectors 78.

Supporting tubes 74 in one embodiment were eighteen inches in length andbase connection tubes 76 were thirty eight inches in length.

By utilizing tubes and connectors that may be assembled as separatecomponents, embodiments of the invention may be easily transported incompact packaging.

FIG. 6 is a plan view of mounting hardware for a storage container. FIG.6 illustrates mounting bracket 20 attached to wall 18. Any mountingmeans capable of supporting storage container 14 may be utilized in oneembodiment, mounting bracket 20 is mounted to head frame 17, which is inturn secured to wall 18. Mounting bracket 20 is connected to mountingrod 22 through the use of bolts 90, nuts 92 and support plate 94. Cotterpin 96 serves to prevent mounting rod 22 from detaching from mountingbracket 20. This arrangement retains mounting rod 22 within mountingbracket 20 and allows storage container 14 to pivot.

Referring now to FIG. 7 a perspective view of the mesh components of astorage container is shown. Until now the mesh feature has been referredto solely as “mesh 13”; although it may be a single piece of mesh,wrapped around container 14 we here describe an alternative embodiment.Mesh 13 comprises bottom mesh 13 a, base mesh 13 b and top mesh 13 c.Each of 13 a, 13 b and 13 c are secured to the tubes of container 14through the use of a connecting device 108 such as a plastic tie downtie or wire tie. Multiple connecting devices may be employed to securemesh 13 to the tubes of container 14.

Referring now to FIG. 8 a perspective view of a storage container withoptional features is shown. Storage container 14 may be equipped withhooks 100 which allow for items to be stored hanging from a hook 100. Inaddition load securing straps 106 may be utilized. Such a strap 106 maybe of any design, but bungee cords are suggested.

A shelf 102 may also be utilized. The shelf 102 has base connectiontubes 76 as a frame and clamp connectors 82 to attach to supportingtubes 74. Mesh 13 d serves as the base material for shelf 102.

A closet rod 104 may also be utilized. Closet rod 104 has baseconnection tubes 76 and a supporting tube 74 to create a frame, whichconnects to supporting tubes 74 through the use of clamp connectors 82.

The above-described embodiments of the invention are intended to beexamples only. Alterations, modifications and variations can be effectedto the particular embodiments by those of skill in the art withoutdeparting from the scope of the invention, which is defined solely bythe claims appended hereto. For example, although embodiments of theinvention as described are for use in a garage, they may equally be usedin other areas, such as attics or basements or in external structuressuch as barns.

1. A retractable storage container, said container comprising: a frame;said frame attached to a mounting rod; said mounting rod connected to amounting bracket affixed to a wall; said storage container beingattached to a ceiling by a utility hook and a pulley; said pulley and asafety ratchet connected by a pull rope and a ratchet release rope; andsaid safety ratchet connected to said retractable storage container. 2.The container of claim 1 further comprising cotter pins attached to saidmounting rod to prevent said mounting rod from detaching from saidmounting bracket.
 3. The container of claim 1 wherein said framecomprises a plurality of tubes and connectors.
 4. The container of claim1 wherein said frame is covered in mesh.
 5. The container of claim 1further comprising a shelf.
 6. The container of claim 1 furthercomprising hooks.
 7. The container of claim 1 further comprising acloset rod.
 8. A method for lowering a retractable storage container,said method comprising the steps of: disengaging a safety ratchetthrough the use of a ratchet release rope; utilizing a pull rope tolower said retractable storage container, when said safety ratchet isnot engaged.